Christmas and the end of the year are synonymous with celebration in the company of family and friends; of festivity, hugs and good times in group.
However, this year due to the pandemic and health protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19, they should avoid the collective celebrations to which many are accustomed.
Given the situation, emotions may appear such as sadness, nostalgia and melancholy, which according to Dr. Paulo Castro, Vitality Clinic Wellness Medicine specialist, can be overcome naturally.
Social distancing can also trigger manifestations such as anxiety and depression, which do require special attention according to Dr. Castro.
How to determine them
According to the Wellness Medicine specialist, anxiety can be identified if there is difficulty sleeping; permanent concern that causes anxiety, discomfort in the body due to accelerated heart and respiratory rate, muscle tension, upset stomach, among other symptoms.
“Anxiety can be mild or moderate, such as a passing restlessness or nervousness, or it can feel like constant fear, terror, or panic. Generally, experiencing feelings of tension or stress for a long time, are a way of expressing anxiety “, explained Dr. Castro.
As for depression, the detailed expert that is associated with an emotion of permanent sadness that may be accompanied by feelings of anger, frustration or helplessness.
“While it is normal to feel this way at some point in life, if this discomfort persists for more than two weeks, it is possible that we are talking about a mood disorder. It is also possible that, when experiencing long periods of anxiety, this can lead the person to suffer from chronic depression “, explained the specialist in Wellness Medicine.
Some of the symptoms of depression are: difficulty knowing your sleep, abrupt changes in appetite, lack of energy or permanent fatigue, loss of interest in times past that you previously enjoyed and difficulty concentrating.
To overcome them
Depression and the response are two widespread conditions in today’s society, so someone suffering from one of these disorders should not feel ashamed and on the contrary, should ask for help.
Dr. Castro provided a series of recommendations to address them:
- Identify if it is an out of control problem: All people often have difficult emotional moments and the ability to overcome what makes the difference. If the answer is permanent or you believe you are depressed, it is probably required to address the problem with professional help.
- Apply physical activity routines and maintain good habits: Good nutrition, exercise and proper rest will contribute to well-being, through the production of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, which are responsible for maintaining good mood in people.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs: Drug and alcohol use creates circles of dependence that end up deepening the problem you want to attack.
- Practicing meditation: Emotions develop in the brain and the practice of activities such as meditation, will help to better understand the mental images that cause suffering.
- Assess heredity and hormonal imbalances: Depression and anxiety can sometimes be caused by inherited genetic factors, and also by hormonal imbalances. One can research family history and look for patterns of behavior to be sure if it is of physiological origin.
“If you are someone close to a person who may be suffering from depression or anxiety, you can also contribute by being attentive or attentive to abnormal behaviors of your loved one and recommend a visit to a competent specialist in the field,” concluded Dr. Castro.
Journalist with a degree in Media Production from the Latin University of Costa Rica. Commercial announcer trained at the National Learning Institute.